Prison release teen raped pregnant woman

11:20pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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A TEENAGER raped a woman who was four months pregnant the day after he was released from a young offenders' centre because there were not enough places, a court heard.

Anthony Thompson, of Benson Road, Walker, Newcastle, who suffers from minor learning difficulties, was detained indefinitely on Monday after being found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of the rape of the 19-year-old expectant mother.

"I have seen the photographs of the girl. One can only imagine the horrors that she went through at your hands."

Judge Guy Whitburn

The court heard the 17-year-old had just been released from a young offenders' institution because it was full.

Only 24 hours later he launched a drink-fuelled attack in which he rained punches on the young woman and raped her.

Her ordeal took place just before 9.30pm last September 5, behind Morton Street and Dunmorlie Street, in Byker, Newcastle.

Thompson grabbed the woman in a headlock and dragged her into the alley.

He continued the attack despite her pleas to stop because she was pregnant.

Her screams were heard by passers-by, who called the police. The sound of their sirens made him end the attack and he was immediately arrested.

Passing sentence, Judge Guy Whitburn noted Thompson's "appalling" record and described the horror his victim had been forced to endure.

He said: "At the time of the attack, you were 17 years old and you are 18 this month. You have a shocking record, with any number of very serious offences.

"You were released on September 4, and the following day you consumed a considerable amount of drink and drugs and then you raped the woman.

"You took her down a dark alleyway and assaulted her to such an extent that she was screaming, and you subsequently raped her.

"Fortunately, people heard those screams and alerted the police.

"I have seen the photographs of the girl. One can only imagine the horrors that she went through at your hands."

Thompson was given a hospital order and told he would be detained at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth, Newcastle, until it was deemed he posed no further threat to society.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.